pettilyadv.
/ˈpɛtᵻli/, U.S. /ˈpɛdəli/ In a petty, small-minded, or spiteful manner.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adverb] > in a paltry, mean, or contemptible manner
lowly1440
peltingly1555
meanlyc1561
miserablya1586
scurvily1616
mean1719
pettily1791
peddlingly1892
1791 Refl. on Present State Brit. Nation 21 Pettily pilferred and wasted by those beggars; who are permitted..to infest our fields, our highways, our streets, and our houses.
1858 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) II. 18 We should rather endeavour a unity of doctrine and spirit among Christians than pettily insist on establishing certain ceremonies.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Silverado Squatters 129 They are..pettily thievish, like the English gipsies.
1910 Times 11 June 7/3 The country has clearly shown its dissatisfaction with the traditionally selfish and pettily narrow-minded methods of the governing castes.
1996 H. Fielding Bridget Jones's Diary 287 People should be allowed to invite who they want to their parties without others pettily getting upset.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1791